The 22ft Christmas tree was provided by John Junor from the Farr North Christmas Trees in Inverness, after being chosen by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, who have provided the tree for 20 years.

Military families were also present, with more than a dozen of forces' families from the Army, RAF, Royal Marines and veterans joining the festivities.

Responding to a reporter who asked if she had a "Christmas wish", The Prime Minister said: "I wish everybody a very happy, peaceful Christmas."

Ahead of the switch on, a number of cabinet members were seen leaving Number 10, including the Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

Richard Stringfellow, vice chair of trustees at the charity Military Wives Choirs and musician in The Band of the Household Cavalry, said: "The festive period can be a particularly tricky time for military families when loved ones are deployed and can't be home for Christmas.

"Our 74 choirs based across the UK and overseas provide a safe space for women in the military community to come together and sing, share and support one another, which can often be a real lifeline.

"It was amazing to celebrate that fact and perform as part of the Downing Street Christmas tree lights switch-on event this year."